5-25-2020: Michael T
Weiss and rest of NBC's "The Pretender" Cast almost 25
Years after the Series Premiere

Michael T. Weiss and other former cast
members of NBC's "The Pretender" took different paths after the
show, which premiered series almost 25 years ago.
The show, which started in 1996, had a mixed genre of crime,
drama, and mystery, according to IMDb. The series was about a
man with an ability to master any skill instantly.
He escaped a secret testing facility and traveled the country,
taking different jobs, and helping strangers while avoiding his
kidnappers. The show, which has more than 80 episodes, ended in
2000.
— Picture of Michael T. Weiss
The show may have ended, but the former actors are presently
thriving in the entertainment industry. Weiss, now 58, busied
himself voicing the heroes of animated shows, including the
"Justice League", as reported by Closer Weekly on 5/17/2020.
Aside from lending his voice for animated shows, Weiss is also a
visual artist in Los Angeles. He is also a playwright and
theater director, according to IMDb. The actor is also known for
being an environmental activist. He served as one of the board
of directors for the Earth Communications Office.
— Picture of Andrea Parker
Andrea Parker, 50, landed several acting roles for herself. She
starred in the "Less Than Perfect," "Pretty Little Liars," and
recurring roles in the "Desperate Housewives" and "Red Band
Society," The actress, who was once a ballerina, loves to ride
horses. She also loves to spend time with family and friends, as
revealed by IMDb. Aside from horseback riding, she also has
interests in driving hot wheels. For her love of cars, she
attended a stunt driving course in San Bernardino, California.
— Picture of Patrick Bauchau
Patrick Bauchau took supporting roles in movies, which he
enjoyed all along. He appeared in "The Cell," "Secretary,"
"Panic Room," as well as in TV shows such as the "Carnivàle" and
"The Affair," as reported by Closer Weekly. In 2022, the
81-year-old actor will be celebrating his 60th wedding
anniversary with his wife, Majinou Bardot. She is the younger
sister of actress Brigitte Bardot.
— Picture of Jon Gries
Jon Gries, on the other hand, appeared on TV shows, such as
"24," "Lost to The Bridge," and "Dream Corp." The 62-year-old
actor also starred in over 50 films, including the "Napoleon
Dynamite" and "Taken."
Like in the article from Closer Weekly, other cast members are not
mentioned. 😢 But the pictures are different.

Here’s What They’re Up to Now ...The Pretender was an action drama television series
created by Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle. It
aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000 as part of the network’s action
programming block, Thrillogy.
The series was about Jarod, a man who is on the run as a
“Pretender,” which is an impostor who is able to master any
skill necessary to impersonate a member of any profession
including a doctor or a lawyer. “Pretenders” live at The Centre,
a think tank that kidnapped Jarod when he was younger to exploit
his abilities. The character was played by actor Michael T.
Weiss.
After the show was canceled, TNT aired two TV movies that
continued the storyline: The Pretender 2001 and The
Pretender: Island of the Haunted, which were both released
in 2001. In 2013, Mitchell and Sickle continued the storyline
with a series of books and graphic novels.
— Michael T. Weiss: While Jarod became a hero by impersonating a
member of any profession he chose, Michael, 58, made an
impression as an actor by choosing to split time between theater
and voicing heroes in a slew of animated shows including
"Justice League" and "The Legend of Tarzan", where he got to
portray the King of the Jungle. His most recent movie is "Sunset
Park". Picture
— Andrea Parker: Though Miss Parker was determined to track down
an escaped Jarod for the Centre, Andrea, 50, captured a number
of roles for herself. Along with two TNT Pretender movies, she’s
starred on TV’s "Less Than Perfect" and "Pretty Little Liars"
and had recurring roles on "Desperate Housewives" and "Red Band
Society". Picture
— Patrick Bauchau: Following his days as the Centre’s lead
psychiatrist Sydney, Patrick, 81, didn’t mind taking supporting
roles in movies such as "The Cell", "Secretary", "Panic Room"
and "Ray", as well as TV’s "Carnivàle" and "The Affair". In
2022, he’ll be celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with
wife Mijanou Bardot, Brigitte Bardot’s younger sister. Picture
— Jon Gries: After playing the Centre’s resident computer genius
Broots, Jon, 62, showed he could hack just about any role that
came his way. He’s appeared on TV shows from "24" and "Lost to
The Bridge" and "Dream Corp LLC", as well as in over 50 films -
most notably, as Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dynamite" and Casey in
the "Taken" films. Picture
Other cast members are not mentioned in the article. 😢

Blu-ray Review: "Bones"
Scream Factory presents ‘Bones’. Directed by Ernest R.
Dickerson. Screenplay by Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe.
Starring: Snoop Dogg, Pam Grier, Khalil Kain, Clifton Powell,
Bianca Lawson & Michael T. Weiss. Rated: R. Running Time: 96
minutes. Blu-ray to be released: March 31, 2020.
The video is 2.35:1 anamorphic. The Blu-ray transfer brings out
the darkness of the haunted Brownstone. The audio DTS-HD MA 5.1
so you can be scared from all corners of the room. The original
mix can be found on the DTS-HD MA 2.0. The movie is subtitled.
Content: 4.0 Extras: 4.0 Replay: 4.0 Overall: 4.0
Back in 1979 Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) was the sweetest pimp in
the neighborhood. He really wasn’t much of a pimp since he
merely ran the local numbers game. He didn’t hustle drug or put
ladies on the street as his whores. Only woman he has by his
side is his girlfriend Pearl (Foxy Brown‘s Pam Grier). He looked
out for the people around him. He was a local legend for being
so upstanding. But some people weren’t having it. Those people
happened to be crooked cop Lupovich (Jeffrey‘s Michael T.
Weiss) and local drug kingpin Eddie Mack (Everybody Hates
Chris‘s Ricky Harris). They want Bones to start dealing a
narcotic to the children that play on the sidewalk. When Bones
refuses the cop and the dealer shoot him. But they aren’t done.
They force Bones’ two associates and Pearl to stab his body.
Instead of burying, Bones’ bones are left to rot in the basement
and the Brownstone home locked up. The neighborhood changes, but
Bones’ place remains on the block. In 2001, four kids buy the
Brownstone with the desire to turn it into the hottest nightclub
in the city. They have no idea how hot things get although they
do seem to make friends with the dog that lives in the house
that has red eyes. Little do they know that the hairy four
legged beast contains the damned soul of Bones. He’s ready to
get revenge on those who killed him and dumped him in the
basement to rot. Even Pearl has to fear for her life since Jimmy
isn’t as sweet of a pimp in his undead state.
Snoop Dogg is a rather nightmarish figure in the film. Over the
last few decades, Snoop has been able to strike himself as a
cartoonish character who can sell cars and other products. He
comes off as a friendly guy who just likes to smoke a little
weed and watch little kids play football. People forget that
Snoop had to hire Johnnie Cochran to get acquitted from a murder
charge. Anyone who saw his recent video giving a warning to
Gayle King got to see the not so warm and fuzzy side of Snoop.
So he’s a bit horrific on the screen when he’s getting a piece
of those that put him down. He really doesn’t ham it up in the
scenes although part of that might be because he was stoned for
most of the production. Which works out perfect for undead kinda
pimp.
Director Ernest Dickerson and his visual effects crew bring out
the scares in the Brownstone. There’s some bloody moments that
earn the film an R-rating. The weird piece of art with people
trapped inside is still a glory to behold. He also brings out
the scares for Pam Grier. This film links up well with her other
major horror film: Scream Blacula Scream. During the flashback
to 1979 scenes, Pam looks like she had just wrapped making
Coffy. Her performance helps make Snoop Dogg look better on the
screen. Grier makes Bones an enjoyable experience so you’re
eager to see what’s going on in the Brownstone.
Bonus material:
- Audio Commentary with Snoop Dogg, director Ernest Dickerson
and screenwriter Adam Simon in the same room. Snoop sounds like
he’s smoked up.
- Interview with Director Ernest Dickerson (20:21) has him talk
about the one day he had to ask Snoop Dogg to not get high on
the set. He speaks of his being thrilled to work with the
eternal Pam Grier.
- Interview with Screenwriter Adam Simon (17:18) has him talk
about the inspiration to a haunted house in the inner city. He
speaks of working on Brain Dead and Carnosaur. He went to Corman
University.
- Interview with Director of Photography Flavio Labiano (11:42)
has him talk about how he likes horror movies since he gets to
play with the light more to bring out the fear.
- Interview with Special Effects Artist Tony Gardner (15:19)
gets into the fun they had with the pimptastic scares. There’s
video of the wall of bodies. He enjoyed working with Dickerson
who was into visual effects on the set.
- Digging Up Bones (23:48) appears to be the original making of
featurette with Pam Grier and Snoop Dogg talking about scaring
things up in the city. Snoop Dogg wanted to make a horror film
and he didn’t want to be the good guy.
- Urban Gothic – Bones and It’s Influences (18:57) has talk of
how the film wanted to be a throwback to the classic horror
films. Ernest Dickerson scores big points by talking up the
genius of Mario Bava. A lot of the Bava films referenced have
been upgraded on Blu-ray.
- Deleted Scenes (24:35) includes a director’s commentary so
Ernest Dickerson can tell you why he had to snip it. There’s an
alternate opening that was shot Super 8mm anamorphic. There’s a
flashback scene where Snoop Dogg and Pam Grier check out the
melons at the market.
- Dogg Names Snoop Music Videos (7:24) features the Bishop Magic
Don Juan from Pimps Up, Hoes Down. True story, I almost ran over
the Bishop in a parking lot, but I hit my breaks just in time
because of his super bright lime pimp suit.
- Theatrical Press Kit with Behind-The-Scenes Footage (10:45)
has Snoop describe his Jimmy Bones character as just into the
numbers scene and not into drugs or other things. They show off
a few of the special effects with footage taken on the set.
- Theatrical Trailer (2:08) lets us know that kids shouldn’t go
to discos in houses that have the body of dead pimps in the
basement.
- Teaser Trailer (0:31) promises Bones will be the next
franchise in horror like Freddie Kruger and Jason.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray Release of
Ernest R. Dickerson’s "Bones" Will Include Four New
Interviews
Announced this past December, Ernest Dickerson‘s 2001 horror
film Bones is headed to Scream Factory Blu-ray, and we’ve been
provided with full release details today.
Scream Factory will release ‘Bones’ on March 31st, 2020.
The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) is respected and
loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and
brutally murdered by a corrupt cop (Michael T. Weiss),
Bones’ elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years
later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto and his home a
gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an after-hours nightclub,
unknowingly releasing Jimmy’s tortured spirit. It’s thrills and
chills when Jimmy’s ghost sets out to get his revenge.
Special Features:
- NEW 4K scan from the negative
- NEW Building Bones – an interview with director Ernest
Dickerson
- NEW Bringing Out the Dead – an interview with co-screenwriter
Adam Simon
- NEW Urban Underworld – an interview with director of
photography Flavio Labiano
- NEW Blood N Bones – an interview with special makeup effects
artist Tony Gardner
- Audio Commentary with actor Snoop Dogg, Ernest Dickerson and
Adam Simon
- Digging Up Bones
- Urban Gothic: Bones and it’s influences
- Deleted Scenes with optional director’s commentary
- Dogg Named Snoop Music Video
- Theatrical Press Kit with behind the scenes footage
- Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer

I only recently rediscovered these two
BTS pictures from Jason Sarrey’s film „Sunset Park“, taken by
set photographer Chris Sorelle in May 2015: Pictures
Pictured with Michael T. Weiss is fellow actor John Bianco.
Apparently, the film is still only available on US amazon prime. Unfortunately I haven’t
found other sources for other countries.

2-3-2020: The
Pretender guys at lunch

Craig W. Van Sickle (l.), Steven Long
Mitchell (m.) AND 😍 Michael T. Weiss 😍 at lunch a few days
ago: "We talked about personal stories viewers shared about
our series and how blessed we are that our work positively
changed people's lives. To writers and performers: what you
create matters more than you can ever know! A great day,
gents!"

Happy
Birthday dear Michael! I wish you all the best, and lots
of love and happiness. EFi on behalf of "Ask Dr. Mike"

1-28-2020: Birthday
greetings

Mike's - hard to believe - 58th birthday
is coming up this Sunday, Feb 2nd.
If you want to send him greetings and best wishes, this is the
address for it, as I haven't heard any different since we last
asked back in fall:

Mike doesn't have any known public social media accounts - those
running under his name are either fan made or fakes. So paper
mail only.

1-20-2020: The
Pornographer's Daughter

From Liberty B. Mitchell about her play
"The Pornographer's Daughter":
6 years ago this weekend "The Pornographer's Daughter" opened its
6-week run in San Francisco at Z Space in the Mission. Looking
back it seems like a crazy dream that I can’t believe was indeed
forced into real life.
Endless gratitude goes to my closest teammates: Skye Borgman
(video director), Mathea Webb (producer), Michael T. Weiss
(director), Sean Molloy (Producer), Kathy Smith (Office Mgr.),
Kevin Harding (Musical Director), The Fluffers (Keith Stater,
Kevin Swartz, Geoff Knoop), Chuck Sperry (Poster Artist ), the
many friends & family who loaned or donated funds and those
who volunteered time, and James Kennedy (Executive Producer) the
angel investor who not only made it possible by paying the bills
(and shaking down those who deserved it), but whose patience,
protection & good humor kept me sane & thriving
throughout the run and afterward. THANK YOU.
Since 2014, there have been a couple film options that fell
apart (O! You fickle bitch, Hollywood), writer’s block and of
course just plain LIFE as a divorced, then remarried, mother of
two. As I approach 50 this summer, embark on grad school to
pursue an MA in psychology, and heed the call to anchor into my
professional role as a yogic guide & healer, The PD still
beckons for its final realization (plus, my kids want a chance
to see it!😉).
Whether it manifests as a play or podcast or book or doc or film
shall be revealed sooner than later. Thank you to all who’ve
encourage this piece to continue to develop. 💗🗽

We wish
you a happy holiday season! All the best for the new year and
the new decade.

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, a blessed Eid, a bibulous
Yule, a peaceful Solstice, a delirious Kwanzaa, and a
wonderful New Year!
And enjoy whatever else you'll celebrate these coming days.
A heartfelt 'Thank You' to all those named and un-named who
again helped me this year to keep this site the way it is.
Oh - and special thanks to Michael T. Weiss!

12-25-2019: Ginger
Coyote: The Rock Documentary

In this video bit, Liberty B. Mitchell is
talking about (amongst others) the early stages of her
One-Woman-Play „The
Pornographer's Daughter“, premiering in San Francisco in
Jan-Feb 2014, then directed by Michael T. Weiss...: Video
Capturing the story of the legendary Ginger Coyote is a
fascinating trip through the mercurial time/space dimensions of
the punk rock world. From her groundbreaking 'Punk Globe
Magazine' to her notorious band the 'White Trash Debutantes',
Ginger's irrepressible will and larger-than-life personality
have been the indomitable force at the center of it all. Since
the first day we embarked on this journey, the flood gates
busted open with so many truly ground breaking pioneers from the
music, art, and film worlds stepping forth to pay tribute to
Ginger, and to also open up about their own powerful experiences
- often risking everything to challenge the ideals and
preconceived notions of the times... While we're in production,
we want to share some of the fascinating, compelling, and
intimate moments of insight and wisdom that can only come from
the people who were truly 'there'. We have amassed hundreds of
hours of interviews, television appearances, and rare live
footage from all over the world.
"Ginger Coyote: The Rock Documentary" is currently in
production, with still more interviews underway to be a part of
this rare collection of punk rock history. Shot, directed,
edited and produced by Ms. Ligaya & The Floydian Device.

11-19-2019: No news :(

I would really love to give you news
about Michael T. Weiss as much as I would like to get them – but
since he apparently prefers to stay out of the lime light for
the time being (with the exception of his visit to the watch
presentation in Malibu in July) – there are none. 😢
Not even the paparazzi are interested in him any longer. So we
can only hope he has a happy fulfilled life where ever he roams
and whatever he does.
He still has two agencies that take care of his business and
legal affairs, and the one listed below also of his fan mail.
Our West Coast Office has checked with both back in fall, so you
could send your Seasons Greetings to Progressive Artists Agency
– and ask if they perhaps would be willing to pass on any news
about Mr Weiss.
Progressive Artists Agency, 9696 Culver Blvd. #110, Culver City,
CA 90232, USA
~ EFi, admin ~

9-13-2019: "Days
of our Lives" - Wayback: Remember Dr. Robin Jacobs

"Days of our Lives" - Wayback:
Remember Dr. Robin Jacobs?
Mike Horton (1986-1987 portrayed by none other than our Michael
T. Weiss) fought a hard-won battle to have incompetent Dr.
Edward Curry fired from University Hospital. But Mike’s reward
for his due diligence came in the form Dr. Robin Jacobs (Derya
Ruggles), the new hard-nosed and straight-laced Chief of
Surgery. The two locked horns almost immediately over Mike’s
refusal to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the
hospital.
Mike and Robin’s relationship began to deepen when they worked
to close the town’s local mine after a number of its workers
became ill. When Robin was tending to one of the sick miners on
the eve of a hospital gala, a fire accidentally broke out.
It was Mike who braved the flames to rescue her. All though it
was painfully clear that they both wanted to take their
relationship to the next level, Robin refused to do so on the
grounds of religious differences.
She was an Orthodox Jew and Mike was a Christian, so Robin
refused to initiate a romantic liaison between them and instead
turned to Jewish pharmacist Mitch Kaufman. (In a bit of soap
irony, Mike’s portrayer, Michael T. Weiss, was Jewish and
Robin’s portrayer, Derya Ruggles, was not.)
Robin’s father Eli approved of her new beau but her uncle,
Robert LeClair, had more pressing matters to worry about than
who his niece was dating. In his heart of hearts, Robert was
sure that Robin’s new colleague, Dr. Fred Miller, was in all
actuality a former Nazi physician who had orchestrated the
deaths of many Jewish persons imprisoned in concentation camps
including Robin’s grandmother.
Mike and Robin worked together to uncover the truth about
Miller, whom their research proved didn’t really exist. And
thanks to an assist by Steve Johnson, they learned that he bore
a scar in the exact same place where a distinct birthmark
belonging to German-born Friedrich Kluger should have been.
After the truth was outed – and Robert was shot – Mike and Robin
lobbied the state department to ensure that Kluger would be
tried for war crimes and punished appropriately.
Although the investigation had brought them even closer, the
difference in their religion proved an insurmountable barrier
and Robin accepted Mitch’s proposal. And even though she and
Mike made love – after being trapped in a shed by a torrential
downpour – Robin went through with her wedding. Mike, meanwhile,
pursued Ivy Jannings.
Mitch – finally realizing that his wife’s heart belonged to
another man – had the marriage dissolved but warned his love
rival that Robin would still never consent to marry him because
of his faith. After considering Mitch’s sentiment carefully,
Mike concluded there was only one thing to do: convert to
Judaism.
Mike made the pronouncement to his lady love – and even proposed
marriage to her inside an operating room. Despite some
misgivings, Robin was thrilled and Mike began the arduous task
of converting. However, it would all be for naught.
Mike and Robin became involved with a mysterious floppy disk
that was coveted by a multitude of interested parties –
including government officials and criminals – and someone
attempted to murder Robin while she made a copy of the disk.
Mike prayed for Robin’s recovery, but his Christian prayers were
overheard by his intended – who realized that he could never
really turn his back on his religious upbringing.
Robin made a hasty exit from Salem but she returned a year later
with some stunning news for Mike. In the interim, she had given
birth to his son, whom she named Jeremy. The exes tried to make
a relationship work – for their child’s sake – but the problem
of religious differences soon interfered.
Mike believed Jeremy should be raised Christian while Robin was
adamant he practice the Jewish faith. In the end, Robin decided
to relocate to Israel with Jeremy but extended an open-ended
invitation to Mike for visitation.

"Days of our Lives" - Wayback:
Remember Dr. Mike Horton?
He was a child whose true origin nearly destroyed an entire
family in the 1960s. He reigned as a teen heartthrob in the
70’s, who matured into a strong heroic lead character in the 80s
and 90s. But just how much do you really remember about Days of
our Lives‘ Mike Horton (played by several popular actors,
including Michael T. Weiss)?
Full story in Soap Hub. See below.

Three weeks ago, on July 11 Michael T.
Weiss was finally seen in public again He attended the official US unveiling of the latest
refresh for the Breguet Marine line. These three watches were
first revealed at Baselworld 2018 before receiving the update at
the Swatch Group’s Time to Move event in May 2019, but this was
the first time that the brand had officially exhibited them in
the United States to the invited guests and assembled press.

Here MTW is pictured with Price Arana, founder of The Press
Cabinet advertising agency, and Anthony Cenname, publisher of
The Wall Street Journal Magazine at the Breguet Marine
Collection Launch at Little Beach House Malibu on July 11, 2019
in Malibu, CA. Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for
Breguet. Full size photos from the event.

6-21-2019: "Jeffrey"
- When Romance Met Comedy

#PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Jeffrey

"Jeffrey" — Queer resilience thrives in this rom-com
about love in the time of the AIDS crisis
1995 marked a turning point in the AIDS epidemic in the United
States. It was the year the FDA approved an antiretroviral
treatment that would soon bring about a massive decline in
AIDS-related deaths and illnesses. Yet 1995 was also the year in
which AIDS-related deaths — then the leading cause of death
among all Americans ages 25 to 44 — reached their peak. Roughly
50,000 Americans died of AIDS complications in 1995. It was
against that backdrop that the gay romantic comedy Jeffrey
debuted. The experimental indie comedy is a cinematic tribute to
the heart, humor, sadness, romance, and, most importantly,
resilience of gay men living in New York City on the heels of a
decade and a half of crisis. As one character sums it up towards
the end of the film: “Just think of AIDS as the guest that won’t
leave. The one we all hate. But you have to remember: Hey! It’s
still our party.”
Trailer:

Those words are delivered to Jeffrey (Steven Weber), an aspiring
actor and cater waiter who serves as the movie’s protagonist — a
sort of tentative Hamlet for the mid ’90s. Frustrated by the
paranoia around sex and the logistics of doing it safely (the
film’s comedic opening montage sees him handing over three
separate blood tests to a potential hookup), Jeffrey decides to
simply swear off sex entirely. Naturally, that’s exactly when he
meets Steve (Michael T. Weiss), a hunky bartender who’s
instantly smitten with him. Jeffrey’s biting interior designer
friend Sterling (Patrick Stewart) suggests this could be the
perfect solution to Jeffrey’s sexual woes. If he starts a
monogamous relationship with Steve, they can set the rules once
and stop worrying. It’s worked for Sterling, who is happily
coupled up with a ditzy Cats chorus boy named Darius (Bryan
Batt). But just as Jeffrey comes to terms with the idea of
dating, the other shoe drops: Steve is HIV positive.
Jeffrey insists that Steve’s HIV status doesn’t matter to him,
yet comes up with a last-minute excuse to cancel their first
date. He’s afraid of getting sick himself, but he’s even more
afraid of loving someone and watching them die. It’s a future he
sees echoed in Sterling and Darius’ relationship. Darius is also
HIV positive, and his health is often a seesaw. One day he’s
patrolling the neighborhood as part of a campily dressed
anti-gay-bashing organization called “the Pink Panthers,” the
next week he’s fainting from dehydration brought on by his new
medication. Despite Darius’ condition, he and Sterling approach
life with confidence, zest, and a flair for bon mots. Jeffrey,
however, is fixated on the fact that he lives in a world where
godlike men deteriorate before his eyes and memorial services
are a regular part of the social calendar.
Jeffrey first began life as a successful 1993 Off-Broadway play.
While the initial pitch of a comedy about AIDS raised some
eyebrows, the witty play was soon heartily embraced. New York
Times theater critic Stephen Holden described Jeffrey as “just
the sort of play that Oscar Wilde might have written had he
lived in 1990’s Manhattan and taken aim at an epidemic that was
decimating his circle of friends.” The show’s success helped
launch the careers of playwright Paul Rudnick (who would later
go on to write the more mainstream gay rom-com "In &
Out") and future Tony-winning director Christopher Ashley.
They soon re-teamed to adapt the material into a film, keeping
all its fantastical and fourth wall breaking conventions in
tact—from cameo appearances from Mother Teresa to a conversation
that suddenly turns into a game show.
The film adaptation of Jeffrey was met with a more mixed
response, with many noting that the material didn’t work quite
as well onscreen as it did onstage. The film’s budgetary
limitations often show, as does Ashley’s seeming uncertainty as
to how to translate his theatrical directing skills to a
cinematic setting. Yet considering just how benign and familiar
the romantic comedy genre can often feel, it’s still
exhilarating to watch Jeffrey swing for the fences in such a
big, unique way—even if it sometimes misses the mark.
In the nearly 25 years since its debut, Jeffrey has only become
more interesting as it’s crystalized into a time capsule of a
specific slice of the gay community in a specific time in LGBT
history. Jeffrey and Steve’s relationship provides a loose
narrative through line for the film, but Jeffrey is mostly a
series of vignettes about affluent gay male culture in the
1990s. The stage play starred eight actors doubling up on parts,
but the film adaptation enlists a bunch of big name actors for
one-scene roles. Sigourney Weaver pops up as a self-important
self-help guru. Olympia Dukakis plays a mom attending Pride with
her daughter, who recently came out as trans. Nathan Lane is a
closeted Catholic priest who finds God in musical theater. Debra
Monk and Peter Maloney portray Jeffrey’s suburban parents in a
fantasy sequence where he imagines what it would be like if he
could talk to his parents about his sexual woes. (While frosting
a cake, his mom cheerfully asks whether he’s ever considered
joining a jerk-off club.)
Best of all is Christine Baranski as a gaudy socialite throwing
a rather tasteless country western themed “Hoe-Down For AIDS”
fundraiser. It’s a second meet cute for Jeffrey and Steve, who
previously had a sexually charged interaction at the gym.
Jeffrey is working the event as a waiter while Steve is there as
a bartender, and their flirtation transforms into a fantasy
sequence where a bunch of strapping male cater waiters take the
floor for a sexy shirtless hoe-down homage to Busby Berkeley.
That’s certainly not the kind of thing you’ll get from your
average studio rom-com. (Give or take Mamma Mia!, of course.)
Clip "Square Dance":

Jeffrey starts to feel a little repetitive and aimless in its
middle third, as the vignettes fail to cohere into something
greater. It doesn’t help that Steven Weber and Michael T. Weiss
only intermittently find the palpable romantic and sexual charge
that should be fueling Jeffrey and Steve’s will they/won’t they
dynamic. In general, Weber struggles to bring a sense of
three-dimensionality to a character who’s very, very passive.
For all the time we spend following Jeffrey’s life, we don’t
really get to know him all that well.
The film’s strongest performance comes from Patrick Stewart, in
his first project after wrapping his seven-season run on Star
Trek: The Next Generation. Stewart sinks his teeth into the
layers of a character who wears his catty confidence like a suit
of armor. He’s equally funny whether Sterling is learning into
his campier impulses or subverting them. (Asked which group he’s
marching with at Pride, the normally chipper Sterling deadpans,
“Gay men who need a cigarette.”) Stewart also emerges as the
dramatic heart of the film, particularly when Darius’s health
begins to waver.
Since its Off-Broadway debut, there have been questions about
whether some of Jeffrey’s characters, particularly Sterling, are
too stereotypical. Edward Hibbert, who originated the role
onstage, argued that the very fact that Sterling is a central
character, rather than one-note comic relief, elevates him above
stereotype. It certainly helps that Jeffrey is the rare rom-com
in which nearly every main character is a gay man (at least a
few of them played by openly gay actors), which alleviates the
sense that any one of them alone is standing in for an entire
community. It was also written and directed by gay men speaking
to their own experiences. Still, there’s unsurprisingly plenty
about Jeffrey’s sensibility that feels dated today, and
potentially already felt dated at the time of its release.
In many ways, Jeffrey demonstrates just how much things have
changed for the LGBT community in the decades since it
premiered—from the outlook for those living with HIV to the
language we use to discuss gender, sexuality, and identity. In
other ways, however, Jeffrey is a lovely reminder of the
continuity of queer history. The film’s third act features a big
sequence at New York City’s Pride Parade, where Ashley showcases
footage from the actual event. Jeffrey may center on a group of
white cis gay men, but the parade footage captures the exuberant
intersectionality of the real-life celebration. In fact, much of
the footage looks like it could’ve been filmed at a Pride event
today.
Pride Clips... strung together...:

Both textually and metatextually, Jeffrey is a celebration of
the resilience and longevity of the queer community. The film’s
thesis boils down to the idea that it’s collective communal
kindness that creates spiritual meaning in life, even in the
darkest and scariest of times. “Hate AIDS, Jeffrey. Not life,”
Darius advises. Or, as a little old church lady reminds him,
“The only real blasphemy is the refusal of joy.”
Jeffrey may be an imperfect romantic comedy, but it’s a
beautifully joyful one.

Blu-ray Review: "Jeffrey"
The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The transfer brings out a bright
and cheerful view of New York City in the mid-90s. The city
hadn’t quite out priced a creative class. The audio is 2.0
DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo. The levels bring out the fourth wall
busting moments. The movie is subtitled.
Content: 4.0 ; Extras 4.0 ; Replay 4.0 ; Overall: 4.0
Bonus material:
- Audio Commentary with Steven Weber and film critic Alonso
Duralde. He admits to having never seen the stage play. He was
offered the script because of his work on the hit Wings. He
speaks about taking the role.
- An Interview with Steven Weber (26:20) has him talk about
making an AIDS related comedy. He talks about how the role
impacted him.
- An Interview with Mark Balsam (11:47) meets up with the
producer. He talks about how the film is how a man must figure
out how he fits into the world.
- Theatrical Trailer (2:26) shows the film is going to be about
sex.
- Still Gallery (10:46) has plenty of shots from the gym.Shout!
Factory presents "Jeffrey". Directed by
Christopher Ashley. Screenplay by: Paul Rudnick. Starring:
Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart, Michael T. Weiss, Bryan Batt
& Sigourney Weaver. Rated: R. Running Time: 93 minutes.
Released: June 11, 2019.

"Jeffrey", the 1995 gay romantic comedy starring Steven
Weber and Michael T. Weiss, and featuring Patrick Stewart (Star
Trek, X-Men), Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Ghostbusters), Christine
Baranski (The Good Wife, The Big Bang Theory), Victor Garber,
Bryan Batt, Camryn Manheim, Kathy Najimy, Olympia Dukakis and
Nathan Lane. Screenplay by Paul Rudnick, based on his play of
the same name. Directed by Christopher Ashley. New extras
include audio commentary by Weber and film critic Alonso
Duralde, plus interviews with Weber and producer Mark Balsam,
was finally released on Blu-ray on June 11th through Shout!
Factory.
Trailer:

4-20-2019: Happy
Easter Days!

Extending
the
blessings of Easter and Passover to everyone. So
whatever you celebrate, may it be peaceful and
enjoyable. ~ EFi, admin ~

4-19-2019: Announcing
"Jeffrey" on Blu-ray

Shout!
Factory is preparing to release the Blu-ray debuts of "Boom!",
"Jeffrey", "Can't Stop the Music" and "To Wong Foo
Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar" for Pride Month in
June.

JEFFREY Blu-ray – Release date:
June 11, 2019
Directed by Christopher Ashley"Paul Rudnick, adapting his off-Broadway hit,
deftly blends uproarious fun and touching gravity."
– Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Meet Jeffrey (Steven Weber, Wings), a struggling actor
in the New York scene who has just made the biggest
decision of his life: he’s swearing off sex … forever!
No sooner has he made this startling vow than he meets
the dreamy and sensitive Steve (Michael T. Weiss, The
Pretender). With the help of his friends Sterling
(Patrick Stewart, Star Trek: The Next Generation) and
Darius (Bryan Batt, Mad Men), Jeffrey decides to give
love a second shot. But some unexpected news puts
Jeffrey in a bind, forcing him to decide if he should
take a risk on what could be the love of his life.
From acclaimed director Christopher Ashley and writer
Paul Rudnick, this hilarious and touching film
redefined the romantic comedy for the LGBTQ+ community
living in the age of AIDS in the 90s. Jeffrey also
features cameos from several notable stars of the
stage and screen including Nathan Lane, Olympia
Dukakis, Christine Baranski, Victor Garber, Camryn
Manheim, Kathy Najimy, and Sigourney Weaver.
Runtime: 94 min, w/English Subtitles
Special Features:
NEW Audio Commentary with Actor Steven Weber and Film
Critic/Author Alonso Duralde
NEW Interview with Steven Weber
NEW Interview with Producer Mark Balsam
Original Theatrical Trailer
Still Gallery

Happy Birthday, Michael!
Wishing you all the best for your special day, lots of
presents and fun with friends and family, and success with
your endeavors.
Understandable that you enjoy your time out of the limelight,
but please return to acting and the public - you are most
missed!
Cheers to many happy years more! EFi, on behalf of "Ask Dr.
Mike"

1-25-2019: NEW fanmail
address

For birthday greetings and other fanmail:
As of January 2019, Michael T. Weiss has a new agency, that also
handles his fanmail.
From now on you should use this address: